Tradition and Superstitions
The stories are all set in India and hence delve into this society that maintains their long-held traditions and cultural values. With mostly female protagonists, the narratives focus on the conventions and superstitions that allow for double standards between the sexes. Social codes and the caste system in the region are structures that heavily dictate the human experience of the general public. As such, conflicts and compromises arise in the characters’ lives from the restrictions imposed by the traditions. For instance in “When Anklets Tinkle” the moral code for women is shown to differ greatly from that of men. Moreover, the longstanding superstitions related to women also control how newly wedded girls conduct themselves at their in-laws. The conflict between these beliefs and the fast-changing society is a clash that reoccurs in the short stories.
Womanhood
The short stories address what it means to be a woman in a society upholding traditions that clash with modern society. Therefore, they examine the generational gap that exists between women of different age groups. The relationships of mothers and daughters become part of the plot as the women reconcile their differences and changing dynamics. Societal expectations and patriarchal dominance come in the way of the female protagonists living their truth and authentic selves. Case in point, in “Bahu”, is the predicaments of a career woman balancing the traditional roles expected of her and maintaining her autonomy. This applies to the majority of the protagonists as they reach an impasse where they have to compromise in order to move forward. Either betray society’s standards and be ridiculed or bow to the structures that have silenced women for centuries.
Family Duty
The Indian society values the institution of family thereby familial obligation is expected from each and every one. Evading this duty usually comes with social repercussions henceforth every character has this pressure to fulfill them. While some family duties are oppressive in nature—as seen in most of the stories—it is also weaved into the social code of their culture. Through this women find themselves as the caregivers and the men as the breadwinners. The expectations are that women should be devoted and willing to sacrifice everything to fulfill their wifely and motherly duties. Though the sanctity of marriage is an important part of the culture, it on occasion comes at the expense of the women. The concept of familial obligation is at the core of each narrative since it breeds a guilty conscience when the characters defy it.
